What's Your Problem? | Getting Real: Creating Passionate Solutions

Sep 29, 2023

3 min read

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When it comes to solving a problem, there is no one more passionate than the person who is directly affected by it. This is the premise behind the concept of "scratching your own itch" in the world of Open Source development. By solving your own problem, you create a tool that you are truly passionate about.

Passion is a key ingredient in any successful endeavor. When you are passionate about something, you are more likely to use it and care about it. And that passion is contagious. When others see how much you believe in and value your solution, they are more likely to feel passionate about it too.

This is especially true in the realm of Open Source development. Open Source developers, who are their own users, have a deep understanding of the problems they are trying to solve. They know the correct answers to 90% of the decisions they have to make because they are intimately familiar with the pain points they are addressing. This gives them a unique advantage in creating solutions that are truly effective.

But passion is not limited to Open Source developers. In fact, passion is a driving force behind many successful businesses and initiatives. When you are passionate about the problem you are solving, you are more likely to put in the time and effort required to make it a success.

This is evident in the field of advertising. According to a study on global trust in advertising, the most credible form of advertising is recommendations from friends and family. More than 8 out of 10 respondents (83%) say they completely or somewhat trust the recommendations of people they know and trust. This demonstrates the power of personal connections and the influence they have on our decision-making process.

But it's not just personal connections that hold sway over our choices. Two-thirds of respondents (66%) also trust consumer opinions posted online. This makes online reviews and testimonials the third-most trusted form of advertising. This highlights the importance of building trust and credibility in the online space.

So, how can we incorporate these insights into our own problem-solving endeavors? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

Find a problem that truly resonates with you: In order to be passionate about a solution, you need to care deeply about the problem you are solving. Take the time to reflect on your own experiences and identify the pain points that matter most to you.